Meet Todd Griffin '22
Meet Todd Griffin, a junior at Seton Hill studying Musical Theatre. Todd’s first day on campus was during one of Seton Hill’s “Theatre Major for a Day” programs, where prospective students get to sit in on courses and get a feel for what the student experience is like. “That was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a student,” says Todd. “I noticed right away how passionate my professors would be about my growth and highlighting my individualism.”
In order to become a Musical Theatre major, Todd had to audition for the program. “The audition process is competitive at any school you apply to,” says Todd. “I chose to come to Seton Hill because it was one of the few audition experiences I had where I felt that I was in a competitive but safe space. I realized from my first audition that Seton Hill would provide me an atmosphere for growth.”
The cost of attending college can often be a major burden for students attending any college or university. Todd knows first-hand the challenges - and rewards - that come with paying out of pocket for school. “I’ve always been taught to work hard for what I want to achieve in life,” says Todd. “I’ve worked very hard to pay for my education, which has helped me to appreciate it that much more.”
During a normal summer, Todd works for a DJ company providing musical entertainment at weddings, parties and other gatherings. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Todd lost that work this past summer. However, this challenge afforded Todd the opportunity to work at his second passion in life - serving his community and giving back to others.
Todd began working as a peer navigator for the Children's Sickle Cell Foundation, a nonprofit organization he has been volunteering with since he was 17 and has been involved with since he was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at age 11. As a peer navigator, Todd helps children with sickle disease in the Pittsburgh area obtain books and supplies for school, which often become costly for families who face financial hardship from medical expenses. Todd says that he enjoys this work because even though the children he is helping don’t know him, he knows he is making a difference in their lives, and to him, that is all that matters.
Todd has struggled with sickle cell disease all of his life, including not being properly diagnosed until he was 11-years-old. Todd was diagnosed with sickle cell beta thalassemia. With this form of sickle cell, Todd experiences episodes of extreme pain that limit his ability to perform daily functions. At times, these episodes of pain affect Todd’s ability to attend classes and perform tasks that are required of him as a student. “I’ve always been shown support at Seton Hill when it came to my disease,” says Todd. “My professors are understanding and accommodating when my disease affects my school work, and the Health Services and Counseling Center have also been great resources for me.”
Todd hasn’t let financial burdens or his disease define his education at Seton Hill. “I cannot think of just one thing I am proud of accomplishing, it’s rather a culmination of experiences that I have been able to achieve,” says Todd. In addition to his student responsibilities, Todd is a member of Una Voce - Seton Hill’s chamber choir - and the Student Theater Activities Council. He is also an Orientation Leader.
Todd says that each of his experiences have taught him so much more about himself and his passion for music and entertainment as well as being a leader. Todd says that being at Seton Hill has taught him how to be an advocate for himself and for others in his community. Todd hopes that he can take this knowledge and experience and transform it to help his own community in the musical theater world.